Workers at Disney's theme parks are to be allowed to grow beards and goatees for the first time.

A Disney spokeswoman said the new policy will apply to workers in Florida and California, starting next month.

Disney had prohibited all facial hair on its theme park workers since Disneyland opened in California in the mid-1950s. The company revised its policy in 2000 to allow moustaches, provided they were grown on holiday, not at work.

Starting on February 3, beards and moustaches will be allowed.

Disney periodically reassesses its grooming requirements. The Disney spokeswoman said officials decided now was a good time to revise its facial hair policy.

The policy change also allows workers in areas without visitor contact to have dress-down Fridays.